The talented Will Elder, a first-generation artist for MAD magazine, EC comics, Playboy and others, passed away recently.



His outrageous talent, parody skills and tendency for adding “eye pops” (little background gags) have had a major impact on cartooning and comic satire,  including the work of yours truly. Gary Groth of the Comics Journal did an interview with Elder in 2003. It’s a great read, and loaded with his hilarious art (also, his “Goodman Goes Playboy” strip is a lawsuit-baiting forerunner to Weapon Brown. Check it out!)